A TOMATO recall has been elevated as federal officials warn that eating the affected fruit could lead to serious illness or even death.

The Food and Drug Administration upgraded the recall to a Class I level, citing a “reasonable probability” of dangerous health consequences.

The tomatoes were distributed across parts of the Southwest and Midwest.

The upgraded recall involves products linked to multiple farms and packaging companies, according to FDA records.

The initial alert came in early May when Williams Farms Repack LLC pulled H&C Farms Label tomatoes over potential salmonella contamination.

They were sold to wholesalers in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia.

Shipments were made between April 23 and April 28, the FDA said.

The tomatoes came in a wide range of sizes, from three-packs to bulk 25-pound bags.

At the time of the first recall, no illnesses had been reported.

The FDA later raised the classification due to the risk of death.

The Class I designation is the most serious category under FDA recall standards.

Officials warned customers may still have the tomatoes in their freezers.

Salmonella can survive in cold, wet environments for weeks.

The FDA urges consumers to throw away any frozen tomatoes from the affected batch.

The source of the contamination is still unknown.